Kolkata Police are conducting a multi-pronged forensic investigation into clashes at Jadavpur University (JU) in south Kolkata, scrutinising mobile video clippings circulated on social media alongside physical samples collected from the campus. Investigators are working to establish who instigated the violence that broke out on 19 and 20 August.

Forensic Teams Sweep Campus

A forensic team from the Kolkata Police Forensic Department has collected samples from multiple locations across the JU campus, with a specific focus on determining whether any flammable or chemical substance was used during the incidents. Officials indicated that additional samples from the scene may be compared against those already collected if the initial tests warrant it.

Simultaneously, verification of CCTV footage from the university premises has begun. Forensic officers will also analyse social media video clips to confirm whether the footage is authentic, whether it has been edited, and whether individuals involved can be identified from it.

Security Guards in the Spotlight

Police have prepared a list of security personnel deployed on campus after consultations with university authorities. Investigators plan to record statements from the guards and conduct cross-questioning, asking where each guard was posted, what they witnessed, and whether they observed any noise or arson. Officials believe the guards' accounts — and any mobile phone recordings they may have made — could provide critical leads.

What Triggered the Clashes

The violence on 19 August began at the 8B Bus Stand crossing, where activists of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) — the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) — clashed with security personnel. A second confrontation erupted on 20 August in front of the university's main gate between SFI and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists.

During the second clash, the engraved emblem of Jadavpur University — designed by celebrated painter Nandalal Bose — was damaged. It was repaired and reinstalled at gate number four on 21 August.

Senior Officer Visits, Inquiry Committee Formed

On Tuesday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Manoj Kumar Jha visited the campus and spoke with university registrar Selim Box Mandal about the sequence of events. His visit follows a broader review of allegations related to the SFI-ABVP confrontations.

Separately, Jadavpur University authorities have constituted an internal inquiry committee headed by former Justice Pranab Kumar Chatterjee to independently probe the incidents of 19 and 20 August. The committee's first meeting is scheduled for 27 August.

What Comes Next

With forensic testing underway and security guard statements yet to be recorded, the investigation is at an early but critical stage. The parallel tracks — police forensics and the university's own inquiry panel — will together determine accountability for the damage to campus property and the clashes between student groups. The findings could have wider implications for student politics at one of West Bengal's most prominent universities.